January 22

Introductions
Whenever I teach, the first thing I like to do is get some basic info on the students. This includes contact info, but also a bit about them so that I can get a sense for who they are. So, first off, I need you to email me at barriosb@rci.rutgers.edu and tell me:

• Your name
• Your phone number (where I can reach you during the semester)
• Your email address (the one you'd like me to use)
• Your major (if you have one)
• What other Writing Program classes you've taken
• Why you chose to take 101 online
• Hobbies
• Interests
• Something interesting about you

And, it's only fair for me to give you this info as well:

• Barclay (don't call me (in person or in correspondence) "Mr. Barrios" or "Professor Barrios" or anything like that. Just "Barclay," please)
• 732-418-7033
• barriosb@rci.rutgers.edu
• I'm finishing my PhD in English, with a focus on Technology and Writing
• I've taught just about every class the Writing Program offers, and some lit classes, too. This semester, in addition to e101, I am teaching cyberlit.
• I asked to teach this because I have an interest in the ways in which technology can improve teaching.
• Watching TV, surfing the web and chatting with friends, any kind of animation
• Web design
• I was born in New Orleans, on Halloween

About this class
I wanted to say a little bit about this class. This is the second time we are running Expos online and to be honest, we are still figuring out how to make it work best. The problem, you see, is that unlike classes like Biology, where just need to learn some content and then take a test, Expos is about learning a process and certain skills, above all critical thinking. Because it's a process-oriented class, it works best with collaborative learning. That means that what I usually do in the classroom is help students practice the processes/skills they need for the class, and they usually practice them together in small groups.

Because this class is not about content, this can't be a traditional online class, where each student moves at her or his own pace. We need to "be on the same page" quite often, because we need to all be learning this material together. That means that while we don't have a set meeting time, there are definite due dates/times for each piece of this class. Turning in assignments and making postings on time is how I will be keeping track of attendance, and is also how we will turn this into a collaborative learning experience. This class "meets" T/TH 1:10-2:30. That means that assignments/postings are due AT 1:10 on the due date. At that time, I'll be going into the forum, working with what we've done, and posting the next "class" here on the Web site. This means some planning on your part--you want to make sure you budget your time in a way that allows you to get things posted in time. If you think this will be a problem, please let me know ASAP and we'll see what we can work out.

OK, so this is the Web site. It's part of our classroom, and it's where you'll find all you need to complete the class. You'll probably want to surf around it some and explore the various areas, all of which should be self-explanatory. If you have questions, of course, let me know. For certain, before you proceed, make sure you read the syllabus and policies page.

Writing Sample
As soon as possible, and definitely before Thursday, January 24, I need to you to complete the first day writing sample. The writing sample does two things: first, it helps me confirm the placement of students into 101 and second, it gives me a sense of where we are as a class in terms of writing.

You can get the writing sample in Word of PDF format. Spend no more than 60 minutes responding the question and then email it to me.

Homework
Here is what you need to have done by Thursday at 1:10:

1. Email me your introduction and writing sample and familiarize yourself with this site.
2. Join the forums. If you need help, see Tech Help, but I am betting you will figure it out. Once you've joined, make two posting. The first should be in the sub-forum "Virtual Classroom." Post your name and email address as an introduction to the class within the thread called "This is Us." Then, make a posting in the sub-forum "Student Safe House." This space is yours, so say whatever you want here.
3. Read Michael Pollan's "Playing God in the Garden" in The New Humanities Reader. As you read, think about how knowledge is functioning for Pollan. That is, what kind of information counts for Pollan and what kind of "information" does not seem like info to him at all? Similarly, according to Pollan, what function is knowledge playing in the development of these potatoes.
4. If you have any questions about the reading (things you just don't understand), post them in the sub-forum "Huh?".
5. Go to the "Virtual Classroom" sub-forum and answer the posted questions about Pollan's essay. Be sure to make a contribution in each thread that starts "Barclay's wondering:." Feel free to start threads of your own to stimulate discussion, too!
6. Engage. That means you should look at what other people have said and respond to them. Remember, this is not about you answering me, this is about ALL of us discussing. You need to help make that happens. If someone makes a post in "Huh?," answer it if you can, or say that part confused you, too.

That's it. Let me know if this seems like too much work. But ya know, it's gonna be a lot of work at the start, and then we'll get our bearings and things will be OK, OK?